NEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1582, 15 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

__ <►— Sydenham Wesleyan Church. The Rev. J. S. Smalley will conduct services tomorrow morning and evening. There will bo an address in the evening on the question, “ Is there a hell p” Q-eeat Autumn Handicap.—Owners are reminded that acceptances for this event are due this evening, at eight o’clock. Reward. The insurance offices offer a reward of £2OO for such evidence as will lead to the conviction of any person or persons wilfully setting fire to premises in any part of the Provincial District of Canterbury. Resident Magistrates Court.— To-day W. Salmon, charged with forging a cheque for £l9 18s Bd, on the Bank of New Zealand. Dunedin, was remanded to Dunedin. T. N. Morton was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a cloak. New Aviaries.— The aviaries at the Acclimitisation Society’s gardens are sadly in want of repair, the rats having played great havoc with them of late. The secretary, Mr Farr, intends to bring forward a plan at the next meeting of the Council for a complete new set, which are really needed.

Immigrants’ Passage Money.—A statement of the amount of arrears due to the Government on 30th June, 1878, on account of assisted and nominated immigration, has been issued. A total of £47,938 is due, of which £16,051 is for assisted passages, and £1857 for nominated immigrants. Wellington figures for £6216 under the former head, and £3O under the latter. Christchurch and Dunedin head the list with over £12,000 each. The Australian Naval Station. —With regard to a rumor that has lately been afloat in Sydney to the effect that Commodore Wilson desires the head-quarters of Her Majesty’s naval squadron in these waters to be removed from Sydney to some port in New Zealand, the “Echo” states that after inquiry it has learned that the rumor is entirely unfounded. On the contrary, it is intended to form at Sydney a naval depot on a larger scale than hitherto, and altogether unconnected with the Ordnance department. Kaitangata Relief Fund.—A meeting of the general committee connected with the forthcoming carnival in aid of the Kaitangata Relief Fund took place last evening, when a great deal of business was transacted. Reports were given in by the Mayor, the hon. sec., and the chairman of the sub-committee. Mr Jenkins presented two highly-finished muff cricket match bats, and it was resolved that the Mayor be requested to present them to the highest and lowest scorer in the match. The presentation will take place at the Theatre Royal on the evening of Monday. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

Kaitangata Fete and Relief Fund.— Messrs Moore and Sous, of Victoria street, have generously presented to the fete committee for disposal by auction, four very handsome deerskin carriage rugs. It is not too late for liberal-minded persons to follow this excellent example. The following letter was received this morning by the secretary of the fund : —“ West Christchurch School, March 15th, 1879. W. H. Smith, Esq., hon. sec. Kaitangata Relief Fund. Sir, —Enclosed please receive a cheque for ten guineas, representing subscriptions to that amount from the pupils of the West Christchurch School, Lincoln road, towards the Kaitangata Relief Fund. — Yours truly, Tho 3. S. Fostee.” Public Holiday. —The following telegram has been forwarded to us by the Colonial Under-Secretary for publication: public offices of the Government, at Christchurch, will be closed on Monday, the 17th instant. By command, J. S. Cooper.” The Mayor has courteously communicated to us the following telegram, received this morning from Wellington : —“ To His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch—The Hon. Mr Fisher, in Colonel Whitmore’s absence, has approved of the 17th being observed as a holiday at the public offices, Christchurch. Beg to apologise for delay of your telegram, which is purely accidental, and arose from its being lost sight of, and not from discourtesy on any one’s part, especially Colonel Whitmore, who never saw it.” The Mayor of Lyttelton, in a notice elsewhere, requests the burgesses at the Port to close their respective places of business at noon on Monday next, on the occasion of the Kaitangata Relief Fund Fete, to be held in this city. Colonists’ Society, Lyttelton. The following business was transacted on Wednesday night, at the monthly meeting of this society, Mr J. C. Boddington, president, in the chair : —A tender for executing the alterations and additions to the Colonists’ Hall was opened, and action upon it postponed. On the motion of Messrs H. R. Webb and A. Joyce, Mr J. Da we was elected a member of the committee. In prospect of making the improvements to the building, contemplated by the committee, it was resolved —“ That the Municipal Council bo respectfully requested to take steps to have a Bill introduced, during the forthcoming session of Parliament, empowering the Council to grant the society an extension of the lease of the ground on which the hall stands, for twenty-one years, provided the Council agrees with the proposition. And in the event of the Council being unwilling to have the lease extended as desired, that they submit to the popular vote the question of taking over from the society (subject. to the consent of the members) the control of the institution, to be managed by the Council, in terms of the powers exercised by the committee under the Public Libraries Act, 1869.” Some accounts were passed and minor business transacted, and the meeting adjourned.

Medical Staff. —Applications are invited from medic;. 1 practitioners willing to f-orve on the Hospital medical staff up to the end of the present year.

Drainage Board. —The ordinary meeting of this Board, which falls on Monday next, has been postponed until Tuesday at 2.30 p.m., in consequence of the Kaitangata /De. SOUTHBRIDGE BACON CURING COMPANY. —A. general meeting of the shareholders of this company will be held at Mitchell s Hotel on Monday, 30th inat., at 7.30 p.m. Acclimatisation. —A special meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon, when it was resolved that the open season for Native game should commence on the Ist April, and for cock pheasants on the Ist May. The Tikabu Cricket Match.— -The following will be the Eleven who will play against the Timaru Eleven on Hagley Park on Monday and Tuesday next:—Ashby, Leach, Beard, W. Frith, J. Fowler, G. H. Leo, Stevens, Wood, Perceval, Atack, R, Harman.

Oddfellcwship. —A meeting of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge was to have been held last evening, to consider a letter received from the secretary of the Kaitangata committee. As, however, the hall was engaged, it was resolved to postpone the meeting until this evening. Theatrical.— Arrangements have been made for the first appearance in Christchurch of the distinguished English tragedian, Mr William Oreswick, on Monday, the 24th inst. He will perform in the Theatre Royal, and will be supported by Miss Ashton, Mrs Geo. Darrell and Mr Darrell’s dramatic company. His performances in Dunedin have been highly successful. Coursing. —At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Coursing Club, held yesterday, the three meetings for the ensuing season of 1879 were fixed for the following dates :—First meeting, May 23rd and 24th ; vice-president’s meeting, June 17th and 18th; president’s meeting, July 24th and 25th. The particulars of the programme will be found in another column.

Self-Illuminating Watch— ln the window of the Monte de PieW, in Colombo street, is to be seen one of the recently-invented selfilluminating watches. The dial, in the daytime is not distinguishable in appearance from the ordinary white enamelled face, but in the dark it assumes a blue luminous tint, and the hands and numerals are clearly discernible. Resident Magistrate's Court. —ln consequence of the great number of summonses already issued, it has been arranged that the alteration of the time for commencing business in the Resident Magistrate’s Court shall not take effect until April Ist. From that date the police cases will be heard at 10.30 a m., and the civil cases at 11 a.m. Scarcity of Q-ame. —lt was stated yesterday at the Acclimatisation Society’s meeting that there was every probability of a great scarcity of game during the shooting season* as the birds are dying off in great numbers, apparently from the want of food. Mr Acland stated that he had seen as many as twenty dead pheasants lying between Ashburton and the Rakaia. Mr Boys also stated that they seemed to be dying off yery fast, but he could not account for it, unless it was the long-con-tinued drought, with the consequent hardness of the ground and scarcity of worms. Worried Sheep. —ln Thursday’s issue it was stated that a number of sheep, the property of Mr Elder, lessee of the North Park, had been worried by dogs, and a number of them driven over the river into the domain. It appears that Mr Elder, on the night in question, had between forty and fifty killed, besides a number so mutilated that they had to be killed. The annual loss to the lessees of both the parks by dogs is about equal to their rent. It would seem, therefore* that it is high time the authorities should take some steps to destroy the large number of useless curs swarming the city and suburbs, as there can be little doubt numbers of them are not registered, and many are without owners.

Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club.—The monthly meeting of the members of this club was held at the chambers, Cookson street, on Thursday evening. There were thirteen present, Mr Parnham (chairman) presiding. A letter was read from the promoters of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, asking that those who desired to join the society should send in their names at once. A general discussion took place in reference to the Foal, Q-rain, and Root Show, and it was resolved—- “ That Messrs Parnham, Ross, Stevenson, Wilson, Pashby, McGregor, Bosustow, and Beharroll, form a committee to obtain a paddock and carry out all the preliminary arrangements for the show.” It was resolved—- “ That offers of private prizes be received up to the 22nd.” Some discussion followed on various subjects, after which the Club ad-

journed. Kaiapoi Regatta. A meeting of the committee of this regatta was held at the Borough Council Chamber on Thursday evening. Seven members were present, Dr. Dudley, commodore, presiding. After some discussion as to whether races should be held, in which there were only two entries, and a decision that such events should go on the card, the following entries were received : For sailing race, Ariel and Lotus, junior pairs C.R.C., Cure 8.C., and U.R.O. ; champion fours C.R.O. and Cure B.O.; junior double sculls—nil; four-oared sweepstakes (two events) Cure B.O.; senior pairs—C.R.O., U.R 0., and Cure B.O.; junior fours—C.R.O., U.R.0., and Cure B.O.; senior double sculls—Cure 8.0., two entries ; Bob Roy canoes-Faugh-a-ballagh and Petrel. On the motion of Mr 0. E, Dudley, seconded by Mr M. H. Smith, it was resolved that Mr G. F. Day be appointed starter. Offers were reported of donations towards the brass band. It was decided that the band should be stationed on the south side of the river, on a platform, between Mr Weston’s and Burnip’s hotel. The secretary was instructed to have sundry arrangements carried out connected with the regatta. The committee then adjourned till this evening.